Engine Swap

[SilverBullet75]

So far, every V8 truck or SUV I've seen with much more HP than our 215 has as bad as or better gas mileage than ours. I think the Olds may be a good option. It has 17C/25H rating. Add some more weight and it may drop by about 2ish.

[Ldub]

I did a search too, on ebay. One for approx $2100 or so.

According to wikipedia there was also a twin turbo version of that engine producing some ungodly amount of HP. That one would prolly never fit, but the core was the same 4.0l.

Maybe not with the stock turbo locations...

Just get a bigger wheelbarrow full of c-notes...



I believe we're looking at no fewer than EIGHT in the above pic...

[samneil2000]

The great Carroll Shelby was fond of that 4.0 as well. Check this peach out!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Series_1

[etlsport]

very cool on that shelby...

did some more research on this swap. there are two versions of this motor. the oldsmobile verison and the caddilac version. caddilac is a northstar, generates more power

as far as i can tell the swap has not been done, but all the research has and the conclusions were that the engine bolts directly up and will fit between the fenders on a trooper. a small relief will need to be cut in the bell housing to accmodate the starter, but should not cause any issues. biggest issue is that the 4.0 is rated at 260ft-lbs and isuzu rates the 4L30E at 258 (not 285 as i said before)

both 4.0s have electronic fuel injection so the ecu would have to be brought over or a new one would need to be created. our factory trans sends a signal to our engine right before shifting to limit the power in order to save the wear, so its likely that motor would drastically reduce the life of our auto trans. however the mua5 manual trans that has been swapped into a vx sucessfully will mate up just fine and that problem would be solved.

[yellowgizmo99]

I think I remember someone put a 4.8 N* in a trooper, think it is saved on home computer, will look when I get there.

[samneil2000]

Weren't there some diesel troopers? Were those the early models? If the ones related to the VX had that option, that would be a good transplant.

[RamAirZ]

the 4.0 will bolt up to an early 91/92 Rodeo 5-spd or an 2.8 Trooper 5-spd, the Isuzu V6 5spd bellhousing pattern is different than our 4L30E. Also if your wanting to run the 4L30, you'd have to figure out the electronics to control the transmission, as far as the TOD case being used on a 5spd, that would be on the AR5 5spd from the late Trooper and it's bellhousing isn't the same as the 4L30E either. Now you'd have to get a custom flywheel/clutch made to mate everything together if you used an early MUA5 trans and they are strong. IMO I don't think the 4.0 swap is worth it aside from the "cool" factor, also you have to look into starter mounting. You could grab a small block chevy or 4.3 V6 and a 2.8/3.1 V6 Isuzu manual, run a fiero adapter and one of their clutches and be set. As far as the Diesel's, that was the 1st gen Troop from 86-88 here in the states and that motor sucks, a good swap would be the 2.8 or 3.1 turbo-diesel from overseas, I myself would prefer the 2.8 because it has a mechanical injection pump and would make the swap easier. there was also a guy that swapped in a early 90's TBI Caddy V8 into a Troop, it's an option too but I think there are better motors out there

http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson...c/cadillac.htm

The 5.3 V8 from the FWD GM's has the 60-degree bellhousing pattern as well but again, no bosses for the starter on the block so you would have to rig something up for that, but it is also somewhat shorter which gives us more room. They use a shorter snout on the crankshaft and a snug accessory drive to clear everything in the FWD cars

[WiSDoM]

I was thinking the same thing about the 5.3, but would need a new tranny too.
was looking at the 700R4 which I believe I rad some where that I could use our stock tc. Has anyone else read this anywhere?

[RamAirZ]

I was thinking the same thing about the 5.3, but would need a new tranny too.
was looking at the 700R4 which I believe I rad some where that I could use our stock tc. Has anyone else read this anywhere?

I don't think you could use it and not sure why you would want to bother. If you get a 5.3 from a RWD vehicle then any V8 or 4.3 V6 700R4 would fit (minus a bolt hole) and if your using the FWD 5.3 you'd want one from a 2.8 V6 S10 and if your keeping the IFS, you could get an adapter made to fit the Isuzu Tcase or run a Dana 300 since it is a small tcase. A guy on planet swapped in a 700R4 and Dana 300 behind the 3.2 Isuzu V6, which he used the 2.8 version 700. Now if you used a 700R4 you will have to fab a bracket on your throttle linkage to work the TV cable, unless you swap in a manual valve body, it's essential to proper function and the life of the trans (not too hard to make it work).

[WiSDoM]

Yeah I was not thinking about a fwd just the 5.3l

[RamAirZ]

gotcha, then your typical 700R4 will work behind it, just fab up a bracket for the TV cable.

[WiSDoM]

they put the 5.3l in the 7 passenger in the 2004 isuzu ascender.

[RamAirZ]

yup but it's basically a Trailblazer, nothing but the emblems on it are actually "isuzu"

[WiSDoM]

Update on engine swap:
vx should be back on the road by the end on the month.

09 H3 5.3l LH8 motor/tranny/computer w/5200 mi. 2120.00
painleass wireharness 605-26 1094.00
starter/ alternator 140.00

install estimate 2000.00

I will post pics and price updates if any.

[RamAirZ]

What tcase are you using?